The Best Tips To Protect Your Church From Crime-the Top Six

Churches have always been what are considered a soft target for criminals

. Their thinking is something along these lines. There's money, and easily fenceable goods, people who are distracted, cars left unattended, property not protected and...well you get the idea.

So while other potential targets like homes and businesses have become hardened with security systems, cameras, guards and other devices churches are out there in the cold. It is no wonder that crime is on the rise in our country's houses of worship.

Criminals do their "casing" of churches just like they do of homes to see if there are any obvious obstacles in the way. The only difference in a church is they just walk in and look around. They could never do that at a home.

So here are the top six ways to protect your church from crime and criminals.

1.Do an Inventory to see where valuables are located. Then protect them. Theft and burglary are crimes of choice for Churches. Churches usually have sound systems, AV gear, computers and religious items such as crosses, candelabras, etc that may be made of gold. These items are easy to fence and easy to steal. Mark them for easy identification and store them when not in use in a locked storage room.

2.Key Control and Building Security. Usually by their nature churches have many people, groups coming and going making building security and key control tough. Find a way to tighten up and insure that keys only go to responsible individuals and that the last person who leaves at night is a responsible adult. A locked facility may be the first step in hardening your church as a target.

3.Get a Security Surveillance System-Crooks look to see if there is one in place. If not it is a green light to proceed for them. If there is one in place and their image is captured chances are they will get caught. Internal and external areas like parking lots should be covered.

4.Parking Lot Safety-Remind Church members to not leave valuables in plain sight and to lock their cars. Having someone periodically monitor the lot is a good deterrent too.

5.Cash Control-Maybe you don't need Sarbanes Oxley but common sense will usually suffice. Use a drop safe in your building. Get money to a deposit facility as quickly as possible usually with two people or an armored service. Always have two people count the cash and checks at the Church-not in someone's kitchen at home.

6.Get a Security Survey. Your local police department may do this and loss prevention managers at insurance companies will gladly assist. It is their interest for your facility to be safe and secure too.

A security camera or two may be the best way overall to keep your church and members safe from crime.

Can you use a security camera for your church? You actually can't afford to not have one! They give you great flexibility and are easy to use and install. Find out how easy it is to do it yourself for your church security camera system. When are you getting one?

by: Jack Krohn

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